Survey: NJ business optimism wanes after Sandy
Survey: New Jersey business leaders less optimistic in wake of Sandy
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Superstorm Sandy has sapped much of the optimism expressed by business leaders in a recent New Jersey Chamber of Commerce survey.
Nearly a quarter of executives who responded to a poll conducted in December said they expect the state economy to be moderately worse or worse over the next 12 months. That compares to a May survey in which 6 percent of the respondents expected the economy to wane.
Half of the business leaders said it will take the state more than a year to completely recover economically from Sandy. More than a third said it will take at least three years.
More than 40 percent said they expect their companies will hire over the next 12 months.
Chamber officials said 108 members participated in the survey.
